Emerson College LA Celebrates a Decade of Dynamism on Sunset Boulevard

Since officially opening in January 2014, Emerson College Los Angeles (ELA) has been home for thousands of students who live in the two towers that frame the futuristic building on Sunset Boulevard. They take classes in the building’s center, where everything converges in a dynamic core that houses creativity, learning, and social interaction. Inside these walls, Emersonians have attended and spoken on panels, screened films, and some have even returned to teach.

Together, on a searing Friday night, students, alumni, friends, staff, and more gathered in the center of ELA to commemorate a decade of excellence. 

On September 6, ELA celebrated 10 years on Sunset with a special party attended by nearly 300 guests, followed by a reunion on September 7 for alumni who were part of the building’s first-ever class. 

“It was amazing to see so many alumni and parents mixing with students, faculty, and staff. It was really special,” said President Jay Bernhardt. “It reminded me of why LA is such an important part of Emerson: its past, present, and future.”

Read: Ten Years On, 2014 Grads Recall ‘Breaking In’ ELA

Alumni from different decades mingled with current students and recent grads, enjoying food and drinks while listening to the dulcet tones of a violinist or waiting in line to pose for a 360 photo booth. During the event, ELA Founding Director Kevin Bright ‘76, LHD’11 was honored for his dedication to establishing ELA. 

“The thing about 10 years is imagining the impact the building has had on the groups of students who have been here and the incredible experiences they’ve been able to have,” said Bright, an Emerson Trustee who received a special plaque as part of a short presentation. 

Though the College has offered a semester-long program based around professional internships in Los Angeles since 1986, the building of a permanent home marked a new beginning for the ELA program. It helped to expand the number of events and opportunities offered to students and alumni, drive development in the surrounding neighborhood, and allow more Emersonians to experience a semester in Los Angeles. 

Worlanyo Mensah ’23 says one of her favorite parts about participating in the program during Spring 2023 was being in the heart of Hollywood. Having an internship and attending professional development events helped prepare her for life outside of Emerson. 

“Not just me, but so many other Emersonians got their foot in the door by coming to ELA,” said Mensah. “Having a campus in Hollywood makes it so much easier for us to get our heads in the game, to be integrated and part of the industry.”

Trustees Paul J. Morra ‘95 and Traci Blackwell, MA ’14 thanked attendees for getting involved and encouraged more to engage and stay connected. Miguel Cervantes ‘99, who played Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago and Broadway productions of Hamilton, closed the presentation by performing a set of songs, including a rendition of “The Rainbow Connection”. 

“I was here for groundbreaking. I was here for the opening gala,” said Morra. “Emerson College rules this town and I’m really proud of all the work our alums have put out there to the world. This is the epicenter of Emerson in Los Angeles and it’s really exciting to celebrate 10 years.”

The next evening, ELA’s first class gathered together for a special reunion. For many Spring 2014 ELA students, returning to the building brought back a flood of memories. Some alumni reconnected after not seeing each other for years, others reminisced about “breaking in” the building. Reminders of wet cement, gathering for tacos at the now-closed Mission Cantina nearby, and exploring the Hollywood neighborhood. Pictures from yesteryear played on screens inside ELA’s Bill Bordy Media Conference Center while music circa 2014 was blasted at the reunion, organized by Erin St. Pierre ‘14 and Devynne Lauchner ‘14.

“There are so many memories in the building,” said Lauchner, who drove from Boston with three of her best Emerson friends to embark on her ELA journey. “I’m just so proud of the Emerson community and for what we’ve established here in LA. I’m so grateful to be part of this brilliant community of artists and communicators that are just trying to make a difference in the world.”

Tahirah Foy, MFA ‘14, hadn’t been back to the building in years, but attended both nights of events. Reflecting on her time at Emerson, she expressed gratitude at how ELA and the College helped her get to where she is today.  

“It is absolutely surreal. It is a great reminder of how far me and so many of my friends have come with the help of Emerson,” said Foy. “There are so many different ways to get into the industry, but to have a curated, guided entryway is just amazing.”

With the Hollywood sign hovering in the distance, Foy and other members of the Class of 2014 exited the building as current ELA students walked back into their home for the semester, ready to build upon a legacy that shines as bright as lights on Sunset.

The weekend’s events took place during a record-breaking heat wave in Southern California, perhaps foretelling that things are just starting to heat up for ELA and the many people who have lived and learned in its undulating walls.

“It brings tears to my eyes to remember 10 years ago when we were just little kids in this room and how much we’ve grown as a College, as individuals, and as professionals,” said Trustee Emeritus Vin Di Bona ’66, LHD ’94. “I couldn’t be more proud.”